Chapter 173 - 171:Bargaining .

Chapter 173: Chapter 171:Bargaining .

From the way Gurdet snickers into his tea, later that same morning, he certainly did. And decided not to warn him.

​He probably should’ve seen that coming, too.

​"Montrel, we have been over this," Bongo reminds the soldier sternly, on one hand relieved that his afternoon debriefing with his king has been interrupted –collating the many follies of the many noblemen who had caused offence, or generally damaged or altered their reputation was an exhausting and extensive task –and on the other, in disbelief that it has come to this again, and so soon.

​"C’mon, Captain," Montrel complains, and Bongo wonders dimly if talks back to Drogger, too, or if it’s just him. "He was good last time!"

​The soldiers would laugh if he described Gurdet as a lenient king, but he’s certain that the rulers of other kingdoms would have things to say if their men spoke to their superiors like this.

And in their presence, no less. But Gurdet, for some reason, seems to find it amusing when his men put Bongo in this sort of situation.

​Bongo takes a deep breath, then lets it out just as slowly.

​"Last time," he reminds him evenly, rubbing a crease out of his forehead.

It is baffling that Montrel thinks that that is a good enough reason for what he’s asking.

"You two nearly started a fight with the Prince of Movang."

​"Okay first of all, you weren’t supposed to hear about that," Montrel points out, as if that makes it any better. If anything, it makes it worse. "– And second of all, he started it."

​Bongo can’t believe he’s having this conversation again.

He grants their most prolific and problematic guest one night of freedom, and already he’s being asked to grant another.

And to be honest, that’s not even the biggest problem. The biggest problem is that he really wants to say yes.

​He’s going soft, that’s for sure.

Once upon a time ’No’ meant the end of a conversation.

​He just wishes that Montrel would try to be just a little bit more convincing in his argument for why this is not a terrible idea.

Gurdet sanctioned Khobi’s last outing, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t some sort of a test.

​"We’ll be with him the whole time, Captain," Montrel insists, and Bongo does have to admire his persistence.

"He won’t make trouble."

​Khobi won’t make trouble.

​What a bold claim.

​Bongo sends his king a sidelong glance, almost willing him to step in and remind Montrel, with all the absolute authority of a ruler, that Khobi is more political prisoner than guest and a bona fide flight risk, and can’t just be let loose on the town whenever there’s a good time to be had.

But Gurdet keeps his thoughts to himself for once, and stays silent.

​"Don’t you all have training to –"

​" –-Postponed," comes the immediate response, "So we can rest, Captain.

Second’s orders."

​Of course.

Drogger had a reputation for being a hard taskmaster, but he did care deeply for his men.

Since his return the men had really been throwing themselves into their training, taxing as it was, and those who had competed in the tournament had truly done their kingdom proud.

They’d earned themselves some rest, and apparently even Drogger couldn’t deny them the chance to let loose and blow off some extra steam.

To stoke or repair their pride with drinks, and spend their hard won gold.

​Well, Gurdet hasn’t dismissed Montrel, so Bongo takes that as his silent permission, and relents.

​He wishes he didn’t have to tell a soldier of Montrel’s calibre that it isn’t appropriate to fist pump in the presence of his king.

​"Tomorrow night," he clarifies, to maintain the illusion of control, "Since you’re meant to be in recovery."

He thinks that’s more than fair of him. There were a lot of soldiers who took themselves off to the ball the night before when they were meant to be in bed resting, aggravating their existing injuries and more than likely gaining new ones.

​Gods know, some men had no business dancing, drunk or not.

​It’ll do them all some good, taking the night off.

​"...And only if Khobi can behave himself until then."

He thinks that’s also more than fair.

​Montrel’s grin widens, and he gives him one of those textbook salutes that he seems to save for only when he’s gotten his way.

​"Tomorrow night," he confirms, and even throws in a deep bow to his king for extra effect.

This seems to amuse Gurdet more than anything else.

​"Tomorrow night," Bongo parrots, somewhat defeated, as Montrel starts to back out of the room before he can change his mind, "And make sure to have him back by –"

​" –Right you are Captain, we’ll have him back by midnight, promise!"

​Bongo is fairly certain that their last deal had included a curfew of sunset, but the door has already closed behind him.

​For someone who so loudly and openly detests the belligerence of his own prince, Montrel hasn’t exactly been a model soldier in days of late.

​He’s had a fairly relaxing day to this point, but suddenly Bongo feels exhausted.

​A little pleased, but exhausted all the same.

​Gurdet immediately notices.

​"Ah, they grow up so fast, don’t they?" he chuckles, and Bongo has the distinct feeling that he’s being mocked, "Before you know it, they’ll be asking to take him on day trips out of the city, then on expeditions into the field."

​If you wanted me to decline his request, you should have just said so.

​"So I should’ve told them no?" Bongo queries, and his king raises an eyebrow at his mildly aggrieved tone.

​"Did you want to?"

​Bongo considers lying. Then reconsiders, because Gurdet already knows his answer, just wants to hear him say it.

A troublesome trait for a king, really.

​"No," he replies, firmly, "He’s earned this much, don’t you think?"

​Gurdet mulls on his question for a beat.

Longer than he usually would.

​"...More, perhaps."

​What that means, Bongo can’t even begin to guess. Maybe it’s another one of Gurdet’s jokes he doesn’t get.

​"Don’t feel too bad, Bongo," Gurdet chimes lightly, "In any case, I’m sure if you’d said no, they would’ve found a way to sneak him out anyway."

​Contrary to his king’s intent, Bongo does not find that a reassuring thought at all.